Colorado Election Results

November 13, 2018

The blue wave swept across Colorado Tuesday night, with Democrats winning control of every statewide race and the state legislature for the first time since 1936, defeating incumbent Congressman Mike Coffman, and prevailing in many local races. GOP incumbent Secretary of State Wayne Williams lost, while GOP Congressman Scott Tipton retained his seat. All other congressional incumbents won their contests handily. Colorado saw historic voter turnout with over 2.4 million votes cast, with unaffiliated voters leading the charge.

Voters were in a no mood on tax increases and controversial ballot measures. The Setbacks measure, Prop 112, went down by a huge margin, and Amendment 74 to compensate property owners, also lost. The two transportation measures and the education tax hike were also defeated.

The State Senate flipped to Democrat control 19-16, with Republicans losing key races in Adams and Jefferson counties. The State House has become more Democrat as they picked up seats in Jefferson County and Arapahoe County. Several House races are still too close to call, but Democrats likely have at least a 39-26 majority. Arapahoe County was not immune to the wave. Cole Wist, Republican Assistant Minority Leader lost his House seat.

The Colorado General Assembly will see at least 26 new faces in January. There will be 9 Freshman State Senators, but 4 of those 9 previously served in the House. Out of 65 House members, at least 21 will be new. Leadership elections in the House and Senate will take place on Thursday.